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My husband and I are finally coming down to Charleston to scout out a place for retirement We have about 18 months to go to leave NJ and high $$$ and prop taxes behind! We are in our mid-late 50's and have two standard poodles and 3 cats.
We are looking at several areas in the south- -Charlotte area, Sarasota, Fla, and Charleston. We have 325K to spend as the proceeds for our house in NJ (hopefully we can sell it!!) will pay for out retirment place.
We are looking for a new home around 2200-2500 sq foot. preferably 1 story and in a Master Planned Community or Community with Amenities (gym, pool clubhouse, etc.) We don't want a neighborhood with tons of kids as we will have nothing in common with those famiies. We are going to look at the Del Webb community in Cane Bay, but not sure we want to be that far out or 55+ restricted- -from some of the descriptions on the boards it seems far (45 mins) and in booking our reservation at the Holiday Inn on Calhoun St. they told us the crime is bad in Summerville???
We are thrilled there is a Whole Foods in Mt Pleasent since we are organic eaters. Was wondering if there is an organic farmer's market?
We are hoping to be no moe than 30 mins outside of Charleston and was wondering if we can get recommendations on new developments or areas where the homes are newer- - built after 2008. We were also wondering about what the prop taxes would be for a home at that price point and what the hurricane/flood insurance would run, along with gas and electric.
Our home in NJ is almost 12 years old (not old by any stretch of the imagination) and we are now putting in a lot of money into stuff that is breaking. We also don't want to remodel or redecorate a previous owner's home. Been there, done that
We would really appreciate recommendations on where we might be happy in Charleston and any answers to our questions!!
You are going to have a hard time at best finding a 2200 sqft. one story home in a community with amenities built after 2008 for under $325,000 in Mt. Pleasant. You would have a few options in Park West and Planters Point in particular, in the under $325,000 range, but they will generally be built in the 2000 to 2006 time frame. Keep in mind that because of the slow real estate market, little new construction in any of the price ranges took place in 2008 and after. Taxes on a $325,000 sqft. home in Mt. Pleasant will be about $1200 a year with flood insurance if required about $350 a year and home owners insurance in the $2000+/- range. Gas and electric will vary dependent upon the home and life style of the residents, but an estimate might be about $225 +/- average per month. The commute to downtown during non rush hour from Planters Point and Park West will be in the 30-40 minute range. Keep in mind that Mt. Pleasant has almost everything you would need in terms of shopping, restaurants and amenities, that it is not really necessary to drive downtown except to visit a particular store or restaurant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sandyart
Hi Everyone,
My husband and I are finally coming down to Charleston to scout out a place for retirement We have about 18 months to go to leave NJ and high $$$ and prop taxes behind! We are in our mid-late 50's and have two standard poodles and 3 cats.
We are looking at several areas in the south- -Charlotte area, Sarasota, Fla, and Charleston. We have 325K to spend as the proceeds for our house in NJ (hopefully we can sell it!!) will pay for out retirment place.
We are looking for a new home around 2200-2500 sq foot. preferably 1 story and in a Master Planned Community or Community with Amenities (gym, pool clubhouse, etc.) We don't want a neighborhood with tons of kids as we will have nothing in common with those famiies. We are going to look at the Del Webb community in Cane Bay, but not sure we want to be that far out or 55+ restricted- -from some of the descriptions on the boards it seems far (45 mins) and in booking our reservation at the Holiday Inn on Calhoun St. they told us the crime is bad in Summerville???
We are thrilled there is a Whole Foods in Mt Pleasent since we are organic eaters. Was wondering if there is an organic farmer's market?
We are hoping to be no moe than 30 mins outside of Charleston and was wondering if we can get recommendations on new developments or areas where the homes are newer- - built after 2008. We were also wondering about what the prop taxes would be for a home at that price point and what the hurricane/flood insurance would run, along with gas and electric.
Our home in NJ is almost 12 years old (not old by any stretch of the imagination) and we are now putting in a lot of money into stuff that is breaking. We also don't want to remodel or redecorate a previous owner's home. Been there, done that
We would really appreciate recommendations on where we might be happy in Charleston and any answers to our questions!!
Cane Bay is about 30-40 minutes from downtown Charleston. Yes, there is crime in Summerville, but it is nothing like people would lead you to believe. I have been very happy here in Summerville.
Cane Bay is a nice community in Summerville. It would be a drive to Whole foods and other amenities as well as the beach.
Mount Pleasant sounds like a nice fit for you. We have helped many NJ clients move here. It is difficult to find larger one story homes in this area, but possible. Not as many options.
Are you planning a trip to the area to tour? If so, it might be a good idea to have a Realtor show you your options. It looks like your still in the scouting stage.
James Island is nice, as there's several newer communities on that island, which are cheaper than the ones generally in Mt. Pleasant. It also is much closer to downtown Charleston, and even though it is close to the ocean, the houses are nice.
Cane Bay is a good ways away from downtown Charleston. It is every bit of 45 minutes, and there's not that much up there (few grocery stores)
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We have about 18 months to go to leave NJ and high $$$ and prop taxes behind! We are in our mid-late 50's and have two standard poodles and 3 cats. 
